Vending machine coin changer



March 13, 1956 P. w. LOVELL 2,738,050

VENDING MACHINE COIN CHANGER Filed Feb. 24, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i -all W a m;

:3: H7 PAUL W LOVELL INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. W. LOVELL VENDING MACHINE COIN CHANGER INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY PAUL W. LOVELL FI I I I March 13, 1956 Filed Feb. 24, 1951 [VI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I A I I I f r I I A d I I 4 f I I I r I I I I I 4 r i March 13, 1956 Filed Feb. 24, 1951 P. w. LOVELL 2,738,050

VENDING MACHINE com CHANGER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 PAUL W Lovau.

IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY United States PatentO VENDING MACHINE CHIN CHANGER Paul W. Lovell, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Johnson Fare Box Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Deliaware Application February 24, 1951, Serial No. 212,611

2 Claims. (Cl. 194-9) This invention relates to a vending machine coin changer. More specifically, it relates to a coin changer which by a simple adjustment will collect either a dime or a nickel for a product and eject the proper change for a coin of a larger denomination.

It is an object of the invention to provide a changer which can be readily selectively set to collect one or the other of two prices for an article vended.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for issuing change based upon the difference between the value of the coin deposited and the price collected.

Yet another object is to provide a device of the kind described which is simple and positive in operation.

These and other objects will become apparent from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto, made a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the changer showing the various parts including the coin collection solenoid.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the changer taken substantially on the line 2-2fof Figure 1 showing the coin actuated switch means.

Figure 3 is an elevation with parts in section taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1, showing the change return mechanism.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 2 showing the coin collection and guide means.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2 showing the coin tube, switch control and switch mechanism.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of Figure 1 showing the coin ejection openings.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of Figure 1 showing the nickel collection mechanlsm.

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the changer.

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the bell crank lever and slide jam cut-out switch.

This invention constitutes an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in the application for patent, Serial No. 55,943, by Clarence F. Rogier for Multiple Coin Operated Vendor, filed October 22, 1948, now Patent Number 2,685,951.

Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 represents a channel shaped frame in the upper end of which is fitted a slug rejector 3 of any suitable type which will handle nickels, dimes and quarters and discharge them into a set of chutes indicated generally by 4.

The nickels issue from the slug rejector through a chute 5 and normally enter a chute 7 (Figures 4 and 7). The quarters issue from the ejector through chute 9 and enter chute 11 (Figures 2 and 4) and the dimes issue from chute 13 of the rejector and enter a chute 15.

It will be seen, particularly in Figure 2, that a rejector finger 17 is provided in the chute 13, to reject coins and similar rejectors (not shown) are provided for the quarter chute 9 and the nickel chute 5. The fingers are with-' the slide with its coin ICC drawn by electro-magnets which are energized when the machine is conditioned to receive coins, as is fullydescribed in the Rogier application referred to.

A quarter entering chute 11 will successively actuate the levers 19, 21, 23 and 25 (Figure 2) which are pivotally mounted on a member 27 parallel to the chute 11 and which extend respectively through slots 29, 31, 33 and 35 in the chute 11. The dime chute 15 merges with the chute 11 above the lowermost lever 25 so that a dime will actuate it.

Each of the levers 19, 21, 23 is pivotally connected at 37, 39 and 41 to a bar 43 which carries a pin or projection 44 to actuate the lever of aswitch 45 which is the quarter delivery switch. The lowermost lever 25 actuates the lever 47 of switch 49 which is the dime delivery switch. The lower end of chute 11 is positioned to discharge coins issuing therefrom into a coin safe, which is not shown.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a second chute 51 is disposed laterally adjacent and parallel to the nickel chute 7 and the nickel chute 5 in the rejector is wide enough to overlie both chutes 7 and 51. The chute 51 has slots 53 therein through which the operating lever 55 of switch 57, which is the nickel delivery switch, extends.

The lower end of chute 51 terminates above the payout tube 59. A gate 61 is provided in the lower end of the chute so that when the tube 59 is full, additional coins deposited in the chute will be deflected by the upper portion 62 of the gate into the by-pass chute 63 and will drop to a coin safe (not shown).

As shown in Figure 7, the chute 7, to which a deposited nickel is directed initially, is formed to deflect the coin into the chute 63 which leads to the safe.

Attached to the wall of chute 7 is a frame 67 which carries an electro-rnagnet 69, the armature 71 of which has a stop '73 which projects through a hole 75 in the wall of the chute so as to block the passage of coins through the chute. A spring 77 normally holds the stop into the chute when the magnet is not energized.

The coin return tube is provided with a seeker 79 formed on the end of the actuating lever 81 of switch 83. The seeker is normally urged into the tube but is held out by the coins so long as there are enough of them in the tube to return change for a quarter.

A pair of slides 85, 87 are suitably guided for longitudinal reciprocation in the frame. Aligned holes 86 and 88 are formed in slides and 87 and an elongated hole 89 is formed in the bottom plate 91. The holes 86 and 88 are normally aligned with each other and register with hole 89. i

A bell crank lever 93 is pivotally mounted at 95 on the frame and has one arm connected to the armature 96 of a solenoid 97 and the other to the slide 85. A spring 99, connected to the frame and ear 109 on slide 85, holds opening aligned with the openings in the slide 87 and bottom 91. The solenoid, when it is energized will position slide 85 with its opening in alignment with the coin tube so as to receive a coin therefrom and when the solenoid is deenergized, the spring will return the slide to its normal position so that the coin will drop through the openings in the slide. 87 and the bottom opening 89. v

The lower arm of the bell crank, in its normal position engages and depresses the actuating lever 101 of the slide jam cut-out switch 103 which is normally open and is held closed by the crank.

The left end of the lower slide 87 (Fig. 6) is provided with a pin 105 which guides in a slot 107 in the bottom 91. This slide has the upturned car 108 which serves as a stop for slide 85 and a second upturned ear 110 which provides an anchor for the spring 112. The other end of this spring is anchored on the frame. A latch 111 is pivotally mounted on an car 113 turned up from slide 87 and has a stop 115 whichcooperates with the mounting bracket 117 for switches 49,83 to hold the slide against motion. A finger piece 119 on the latch enables it to be depressed to free the stop from the bracket to permit both slides to be moved manually until the openings therein align with the coin tube so that the latter may be emptied quickly.

A pair-of ears 121 (Figure 2) support a rod 123 upon which is pivotally mounted a gate 125 which has three stops 127, 129 and 131 formed thereon which, in one position of the IeVerenterIthechute 11, at one side thereof but above the levers 21, 23 and 25 respectively (see Figures 2, 4 and Theprojections work in slots 133, 135, 137 respectively.

Gate 125 has at its lower end a lever 139 having projections 141, 143 disposed :at right angles to each other and located so as to be alternately positioned in the path of an upturned car 145 on the slide 85.

Thus as the slide is moved by its solenoid 97 to pick up a coin, car 145 engages projection 143 and turns the gate 125 to position stops 127, 129, 131 in the quarter chute. As the slide is retracted by its spring to eject a coin and if the gate does not swing due to itsown weight to the initial position, the projection 141 is engaged by ear 145 and the gate is swung to withdraw the stops from the chute 11. Thus a quarter in the chute will be advanced in stages past thelevers 19 to to give the slide time to complete each cycle before another is started.

An electro-magnet 147 is mounted adjacent the slide (Figures 1, 2 and 5') and has its armature 149 disposed in the path of theear so as to prevent its return or ejecting stroke under the action of spring 99. This mechanism is termed the slide locking relay.

A toggle switch 151 (Figures 1 and 8) which is manually set to one or the other of two positions has three sets of switches 153, and 157. In one position of the switch 151, switches 153 and 157 are open while 155 is closed, while in the other position switches 153 and 157 are closed while switch 155 is open. In the first position the machine collects a dime while in the second position it collects a nickel for each product delivery.

Wiring The changer is shown in Figure 8 in connection with a cup drop type of dispenser which includes a cup drop motor 159 which drives a cam 161 which has a single, sharp tooth 163 for actuating switches 165 and 167. Switch 165 is held closed in the rest position of the motor while switch 167 is open and these positions are reversed as soon as the motor starts.

A magazine motor 169 drives the cup magazine 171 which in turn actuates a magazine switch 176 and the empty switches 173, 175, the former of which is closed and the latter of which is open unless the cups in the magazine become exhausted whereupon the condition of the switches is reversed.

The operation of the cup drop motor is controlled by the deliveryrelay 177 which serves to close two normally open switches 178 and180.

The nickel only light 179 and the empty light 178 are also furnished to show the condition of the machine.

Coin reject magnets 181 and 183 prevent the acceptance of all coins when the dispenser is empty and prevent acceptance of coins requiring change when the change tube or magazine is empty. Reject magnet 183 closes a normally open switch 182. Reject magnet 181 serves to open normally closed switches 184, 187 and to close normally open switch 188.

The wiring is as'follows:

Wire 185 represents one side of the main which'extends to three coin'operated switches 45, 49 and 57; to the slide locking relay 147; through the nickel only lamp 179 to one side of switch 184 operated by the magnet 181 and to switch 178 on the delivery relay.

The other side 186 of the main extends to one side of the payout solenoid 97; to the jam cut-out switch 103; to the 51; reject relay 183; to switch 182 operated by the relay; through the empty lamp to empty switch the delivery relay 177; the magazine and cup drop motors 169, 159; the slide locking relay 147 and the electro-rnagnet 69.

If there are enough nickels in the payout tube 59 to return change the switch 83 is closed to establish Circuit A from main 186 through the jam cut-out switch 103, line 191, nickel tube switch 83, line 193, reject relay 181, line 195, empty switch 173, line 197, shut off switch 165 to main 185.

Thus the dime and quarter relay will be held energized so that coins requiring change Will be accepted.

If the nickel supply is low or if the cups in the magazine are exhausted the relay will not be energized and dimes and quarters will not be accepted.

Circuit B is established from main 186 through the nickel reject relay 183, line 195, switch 173, line 197, switch 165 to main 185 so that this relay will be energized so long as the cup magazine contains cups. Thus nickels will be accepted so long as the cup supply holds up.

Should the cup dispenser be empty, switch 173 will be opened to break circuits A and B and switch 175 will be closed setting up a circuit AA from main 186, including the empty lamp 178, switch 175, line 197, switch 165 to main 185.

Nickel 0perr1ti0n-5 product In order to condition the machine to deliver a 5 product, the toggle switch 151 is set so that switches 153 and 157 are open while switch 155 is closed.

The solenoid 69 is deenergized because switch 153 is open and the operator must deposit a nickel in the machine which will come to rest on the stop 73 in the chute 7 (Fig. 7). Thereafter, the next nickel deposited will be deflected by the first coin into the chute 51 (Figure 3) and will close the switch 57 momentarily and be deposited either in the change tube 59 or in chute 63 which guides it to the coin safe.

Circuit C is established by closure of the nickel switch 57 as follows: from main 185 through switch 57, line 201, delivery relay 177 to main 186.

The relay closes switches 178 and 180.

Circuit D is established to hold the relay energized as follows: from main 186, through the winding of relay 177, lines 201, 203, switch 180, lines 205, 197, switch 165 to main 185.

Circuit E is established by closure of switch 178 of the delivery relay: from main 185 through switch 178, line 207, cup drop motor 159 to main 186.

This motor rotates the cam 161 and opens switch 165 breaking circuits A, B and D to deenergize the reject relays 183, 181 to return all subsequently deposited coins and deenergizes delivery relay 177. The cam closes switch 167 setting up for the cup drop motor the Circuit F from main 186 through motor 159, lines 207, 209, switch 167 to main 185.

Thus the motor continues to run until switch 167 is opened and switch 165 is again closed by cam 161 to effect the delivery of a cup and the dispensing of the product thereinto.

The reclosing of switch 165 reestablishes the circuits 'A and B through the reject relays.

It should'also be noted that if the coin tube switch 83 is'open to deenergize circuit A, switch 184 of the dime and quarter relay will be closed and if circuit B is energized to energize the nickel reject relay, switch 182 will be closed and Circuit G from main 186 through switch 182, line 211, switch 184 to main 185 through the lamp 179 to energize it and display the legend Use nickels only.

Dime operation-45 product Assuming that a dime is inserted, and that circuits A and B are energized, the coin will enter the chute 15 and actuate lever 25 to close switch 49.

Circuit H will beclosed by the delivery switch 49 as follows: main 185, switch 49, line 213, switch 155 of the toggle switch 151, lines 215, 217, switch 188, lines 218, 201 to delivery relay 177 to main 186.

The relay 177 sets up circuits D, E and cam 161 sets up circuit F and breakscircuits A, B, D, and E just as decribed above.

Since the breaking of circuits A and B is substantially instantaneous and occurs while switch 49 is still closed, the deenergization of the dime and quarter relay 181 closes switch 187 to establish Circuit J from main 185 through switch 49, line 213, switch 155, lines 215, 217, switch 187 (which is now closed due to breaking of circuit A), line 219, payout solenoid 97 to main 186.

The solenoid is thus actuated once and one nickel is ejected from the tube 59. The automatic reopening of the dime switch 49 prevents further nickel ejections.

Quarter operation-5 product If a quarter is dropped into the machine it will pass into chute 11 and actuate all four of the levers 19, 21, 23 and 25 in succession, being held between actuations by the stops 133, 135, 137 on gate 125. Each of the levers 19, 21 and 23 close the quarter switch 45 while lever 25 closes the dime switch 49 as described above.

Assuming that there are enough nickels in the coin tube and that circuits A and B are energized so that a quarter may be accepted, the insertion of the quarter closes switch 45 to establish Circuit K from 185 through quarter switch 45, line 217, switch 188, lines 218, 201, delivery relay 177 to main 186.

The relay establishes circuits D and E; cam 161 sets up circuit F and breaks circuits A, B, D and E just as in the case of the nickel and dime operations. Since circuits A and B are broken while the quarter switch is still closed, the closing of switch 187 establishes Circuit L from main 185 through quarter switch 45, line 217, switch 187, line 219, the payout solenoid 97 to main 186 so that one nickel is paid.

Since switch 45 is actuated twice more by the quarter, two additional nickels are paid and thereafter switch 49 is closed once to establish circuit J to pay out an additional nickel.

Should the payout slide stick at a point away from the normal, retracted position, the jam cut-out switch 103 is held open. This interrupts circuit A and prevents the acceptance of dimes and quarters. Interruption of circuit A closes circuit G to light the lamp 179.

Nickel operation-40 product In order to collect ten cents for each drink, the operator sets the switch 151 so that switches 153 and 157 are closed while 155 is opened. The nickel which was deposited in chute 7 on stop 73 is removed and the machine is ready for operation. Circuits A and B are energized if there are nickels in the payout tube, cups in the magazine and the payout slide is in its proper position.

The customer will deposit one nickel which comes to rest in chute 7 on stop 73. The second nickel deposited will be deflected into chute 51 to the tube 59 and will operate the nickel switch 57 with the result that circuit C is closed to energize the relay 177.

The relay sets up circuits D and E and cam 161 sets up circuit F and breaks circuits A, B, D and E as in the previous case.

The switch 57 also establishes a new circuit M from main 185, through switch 57, lines 201, 218, switch 188, lines 217, 215, switch 153, line 221 to magnet 69 and to main 186.

graspe A magnet 69 is thus energized to withdraw stop 73 from chute 7, and the nickel therein will pass to the coin box.

As soon as switch 57 reopens, the magnet 69 is deenergized to restore the stop in chute 7.

Dime operation10 product If a dime is deposited with circuits A and B energized, the switch 49 is closed to establish Circuit N from main 185, through switch 49, line 213, switch 157, lines 223, 201 to relay 177 and to main 186. This energizes the relay 177 and the dispensing cycle follows as described in connection with the other coins.

Since the line 217 is not energized, no nickel will be ejected.

Quarter operation-10 product If a quarter is deposited with circuits A and B energized, the switch 45 is closed three times, once by each of the levers 19, 21 and 23.

Closure of the switch 45 establishes circuit K to energize relay 177 in the normal manner.

As the circuit A is broken the circuit L is set up to eject a nickel. The operation of levers 21 and 23 will effect two additional closings of switch 45 to pay out two more nickels by means of circuit L.

Thus the customer will receive a product and 3 nickels in change.

In operating the apparatus to collect a dime, should the change tube switch 83 be opened due to a low level of nickels, the circuit A will be opened and circuit G will be energized to display the Use nickels only legend.

Summary of operation The apparatus is thus capable of operating so as to dispense a 5 cent or a 10 cent product and to return the proper change for a coin having a value in excess of the price of the product.

If theprice to be collected is five cents, the switch 151 is set to close switch 155 and open switches 153 and 157 and a nickel is deposited on the stop 73 in chute 7.

A nickel which is deposited subsequently will be deflected into chute 51 and pass to the payout tube 59 or, if this is full,it will be passed by bafiie 62 and chute 63, to the coin box. The dispenser will issue one product and no change.

If a dime is deposited, it falls directly to the coin box and in doing so it causes one product to be dispensed and one nickel to be returned to the customer by the coin slide 61.

If a quarter is deposited, it also falls directly to the coin box and in doing so it causes the delivery of one product and the return of four nickels in change to the customer.

In the event the nickel supply fails or the coin ejector slide does not return to its normal position, the dime and quarter rejectors become effective to return such coins to the customer and the lamp 179 is lighted to indicate that only nickels should be deposited.

If however, the vending machine cannot function the nickel and quarter and dime rejectors return all three coins to the depositor and the empty lamp is lighted to show that the machine is out of commission.

To operate to collect a dime for the product, the switch 151 is operated to close switches 153, 157 and to open switch 155 and the nickel is removed from stop 73 in chute 7.

Thus when a customer deposits a nickel it is trapped in chute 7 by the stop. The second nickel deposited is deflected by the first one into chute 51 where it passes either to the payout tube or to the coin box.

This nickel effects the dispensing of the product and the collection of the first nickel which passes to the coin box.

When a dime is deposited, a product is dispensed but no change is returned.

When a quarter is deposited, a product is dispensed and three nickels are returned to the customer by the payout slide 61.

[t is thus found that by the simple operation of throwing a switch and inserting or removing a nickel, the machine is conditioned for either a 5 or 10 product.

Obviously, the device may be utilized in connection with any dispsenser and not merely a cup drop machine, the latter being shown only by way of illustration.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a changer for a vending machine, said machine comprising means operable through a cycle to dispense a product, the combination of means for accepting first and second denominations of coins, said second denomination requiring the return of change, said accepting means including means for causing the coins of different denominations to follow first and second predetermined paths respectively, a first chute having an inlet disposed in said first path, a second chute disposed laterally adjacent said first chute, a mechanism associated with said first chute having stop means mounted for movement to and from a position in the first chute, said stop means serving to hold the coin with its upper edge adjacent the inlet of the first chute to defiect a succeeding coin into said second chute, means responsive to the passage of a coin in said second chute to initiate the cyclic operation of the machine, means responsive to the passage of a coin through the second chute for withdrawing said stop means from the first chute, a third chute disposed to receive coins of the second denomination, means for disabling said stop withdrawing means, a coin return tube, means operable through a cycle for ejecting one coin therefrom, a switch for energizing said ejecting means, a number of actuators disposed in said third chute in the path of said second denomination coin for successive operation thereby, mean connecting each of said actuators to actuate said switch, an additional switch, an additional actuator connected to operate said additional switch and disposed in the path of said second denomination coin, means connecting said switch for operating said ejecting means and means operable at will for simultaneously disabling said additional switch and conditioning said stop withdrawing means for operation in response to the passage of a coin through the second chute.

2. In a changer for a vending machine, said machine comprising meansoperable through a cycle to dispsense a product, the combination of means for accepting coins of a denomination not requiring change and coins of a denomination which requires change, means for trapping the one coin of the first denomination, first coin operable means connected with said machine for starting a cycle, means for guiding the succeeding coins of said first denomination to said first coin operable means, means operable by said first coin operable means to disable said trapping means, second coin operable means connected to start a cycle'of said machine, means for guiding coins of said second denomination thereto, a change issuing mechanism operable through a cycle to issue a single change coin, said second coin operable means being connected to actuate said change issuing mechanism a predetermined number of times corresponding to a portion of the change required for the accepted coin, and a third coin operable means disposed to be operated by the coins of said second denomination and connected to operate said change issuing means a predetermined number of times correspoding to the remainder of the change required for the accepted coin, and means operable at will to condition said disabling means for operation by said first coin operable means and render said third coin operated means effective.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,902 Crawford June 8, 1926 2,050,475 Sumner Aug. 11, 1936 2,179,091 Hoyt Nov. 7, 1939 2,236,198 Osborne Mar. 25, 1941 2,236,571 Hoyt Apr. 1, 1941 2,265,124 Andres Dec. 9, 1941 2,292,965 Osborne Aug. 11, 1942 2,518,810 Nelsen Aug. 15, 1950 2,555,486 Harris June 5, 1951 2,571,596 Meredith c. Oct. 16, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 647,073 Germany June 26, 1937 

